Growing abroad

There is no doubt that CATEC has become one of the most advanced technological centres in Spain and a reference in R&D in Europe, especially in areas such as drones and unmanned systems, robotics and industry 4.0, additive manufacturing (3D printing) or non-destructive inspection, which are already marking the present and future of the aerospace industry and other important productive sectors. And not because we say it, but the results that we have achieved throughout our 11 years of history and professional trajectory talk by themselves.

We announced some days ago a new milestone in the history of FADA-CATEC, and especially in our internationalization and growth process towards foreign markets. This is no other than the first project in the field of technological developments in 3D printing outside the European continent, thanks to the collaboration with the company INVAP Argentina, which means our leap crossing the ocean to Latin America, precisely in an area of great value such as components and parts manufacturing for satellites and launchers for the space sector.

In a year in which precisely the city of Seville is assuming and leading the presidency of the Community of Ariane Cities (CVA), and Andalusia is boosting its growth in the aeronautical sector reached in the last decade, we are convinced that this new CATEC project will contribute to show the high technological and industrial capacity that our industry has and to continue encouraging our companies to keep on on this good path, betting on R&D and high added value activities.

The latest figures for the year 2017 are again clear and consolidate Andalusia as a region that has not stopped growing in turnover, employment and exports in the aerospace sector, and that already faces the future with new challenges and illusions. The new strategic plan of the sector must be a key element in all this, and the base for the Andalusian aerospace sector to continue growing abroad, with the support of all the agents involved and with the R&D and the promotion of innovation as main allies. Only this way will strengthen our position as a of the fastest growing industries in the European and international level, and with better prospects for the coming years.

Joaquín Rodríguez Grau
Director of CATEC

Editorial

An irreparable loss

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We made a new edition of our digital bulletin INFOCATEC full of news for FADA-CATEC, such as the first UAV out of sight flight that took place in Spain, in the facilities of ATLAS Centre in Jaén; the development of new initiative of R&D and the next first “Industry Day” celebration. An event whose objective is to present our technologies and last developments and strengthen relations with the aerospace and technological industry in our country.

News that however don’t ease the enormous shock FADA had this summer after the irreparable loss of our General Director Mr. Juan Pedro Vela Martinez, a key person in the development of the aerospace sector and the promotion of innovation in Andalucía in the last ten years.

News, however, do not serve to ignore the event that marked this summer for the Foundation: the unexpected loss of our director manager and friend, Juan Pedro Vela Martinez.

He should have written these lines, always plenty of enthusiasm, illusion and energy that filled all his projects infecting everyone who worked with him and around him.

Juan Pedro, without any doubt, has been the fundamental protagonist in research and development of the Spanish aerospace industry in the last two decades, and since he arrived in 2008 to FADA, he became a father and a mentor for everyone in the center.

Emulate his job, his effort and commitment with research and development, so it’s to say, continuing his work is the best tribute everyone who had the pleasure of working with him or had him as a companion and friend, can render him.